Unexpected Promises

Chapter 22 ✓

Atifa's pov :

I couldn't stop my tears from streaming down my face as realisation hit me time and again about what I was supposed to do. About what ammi told me. I didn't understand what she was planning, or why! All of this was just too confusing and draining.

Things were finally getting better, weren't they? Everything was going back to normal, wasn't it? Then why? Why did this suddenly happen? Why this sudden change of mind? Why when we were finally getting comfortable with each other? 

I couldn't even imagine what he might feel when he would wake up to an empty bed, empty room and most importantly, an empty house. The same house which was supposed to give warmth and comfort would now be empty. The same house which was our home, in which we made thousands of memories, would now be void of any of it.

And I didn't even know the reason behind it! Was this fair? Was this fair in any way? No it wasn't. Nothing was fair. Why? Just why?!

A sob threatened to escape my lips once again and I covered my mouth. Leaving my stuff as it was, I rushed to the washroom. Closing the door gently, I slid down, letting my thoughts and tears run wild.

I so desperately wished for this to be a dream. Was it too much to ask for? Was it too much if I asked for reasons? Was it too much if I tried to understand her? Was it too much if I was just trying to find comfort and peace in my daily life?

I didn't know! And it felt like I wouldn't even get to know about it anytime soon. Leaning my head back, I brought my knees closer to my chest, hugging myself. I hated this! I just...

'This is just a test.' Abbu’s soothing whisper which I had heard a number of times during different phases of our lives echoed in my mind over and over again, giving me a sense of hope. Wiping the stray treacherous tear away, I breathed deeply, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. In Sha Allah nothing bad will happen. Whatever that will happen is already written by Allah.

Standing up, I washed my face a couple of times. Grabbing a towel, I headed out, my mind slightly calm. And my heart, hopeful. I would pray. I couldn't lose hope. How could I lose him if Allah has already written him for me? And if he is not in my fate, in my destiny, then no one could stop him from leaving me. Or me from leaving him...

I stared at the things kept in my bag, not even able to make out some of them due to the darkness of the room. Shaking my head, I arranged some of my clothes to make space for other things. It was obvious I couldn't take everything with me.

Packing my bag, I zipped up the suitcase as quietly as I could. Looking around the room, I tried to remember if I forgot to keep something, but my mind was too numb to properly think about it.

My gaze finally landed on him. An angel in disguise. Someone because of whom I was able to make some of the best moments of my life. Someone because of whom I was finally able to find my old self back, even if it was just for a while. Someone annoying but sweet at the same time. Someone stiff but caring at the same time. Someone... someone who managed to make a place for himself in my heart.

Keeping my suitcase aside, I made my way to him. One of the table lamps was still turned on. The soft golden glow casting on him made him look so serene. Gazing at him for a while, I didn't realise when my hand moved to move a few strands of hair from his face.

I bent down, my lips touching his forehead lightly in a feathery kiss, my eyes closed as I cherished this moment. Moving back, I stared at his face. I don't think I actually ever noticed his features before. His long and thick lashes casted a shadow on his cheeks, his cheekbones weren't that high, but they were perfect, giving his face a soft yet firm look. His nose wasn't sharp, but it looked cute. His lips were small and plump, too pink to be true while his jaw was covered with a stubble.